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G8 Pledges Increasing Support for Food Security in Africa

May 22nd, 2012 • by Sara Gustafson

At the G8 summit held over the weekend, world leaders focused on the issue of food security in the developing world, announcing a new initiative to reduce hunger and poverty. The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is a collaborative effort among G8 countries, African countries, and the global private sector and aims to lift 50 million people out of poverty in the next 10 years. This ambitious plan hinges on sustainable agricultural growth, with particular attention paid to smallholder and women farmers.

IFPRI and the National Institute for Agronomic Study and Research Announce Call for Papers on Food Security in DRC

May 14th, 2012 • by Sara Gustafson

To revisit some of the most pressing issues to have emerged from the 2011 Policy Dialogue on the Importance of Statistical Information Systems in Improving Food Security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the National Institute for Agronomic Study and Research (INERA) are announcing a joint Call for Papers (CFP). IFPRI and INERA call for the development of two papers.

Agricultural Market Information System

May 13th, 2012 • by Sara Gustafson

A major challenge to food security worldwide is a dearth of accurate, timely information. Without reliable information regarding world agricultural markets, production, and stocks, policymakers may engage in harmful policies such as export bans or panic buying, only serving to further drive up food prices and price volatility.

Global Food Prices Down, Still High

May 10th, 2012 • by Sara Gustafson

The FAO Global Food Price Index averaged 214 points in April, down 3 points from the previous month. Cereals prices aided this decline with a drop of nearly 2 percent from March and 16 percent from April 2011. Maize prices declined on solid production prospects, while wheat and rice prices also fell marginally. Soybean prices, on the other hand, surged on fears of tightening global supplies.

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